With the weather warming up and the sun shining at last, we’re definitely moving into the ‘ice cream season’. Though in truth, I’ll eat ice cream at any time of the year. I confess to having a big addiction to ice cream; well, gelato. I’m an ice cream snob (I’ll own up so you don’t need to accuse me). I don’t buy those old British favourites that you find in your local newsagent, I seek out the many and growing number of wonderful Italian gelaterie in London. Thus this will probably turn into an ongoing post that needs frequent revision (and frequent tastings of gelato!) for I have sampled only a few, so there are many, many more to try. But of the ones I know, here are my favourites. And while I rarely stick my neck out on these pages and attribute rankings – I’m doing it here … and top of this list has to be my local and very wonderful …

1. Gelateria Danieli, Richmond upon Thames

Tucked down the pretty alleyway, Brewer’s Lane, off the centre of Richmond’s high street, you will find some of the very best gelato in London. Made in-house and overseen by owners Carlo, who comes from Sicily, and Bridget, a nutritionist, there’s a fabulous choice of flavours, and the gelato is to die for. Currently you can have a small cup for £2.50 with 2 flavours; a medium cup is £4. My favourite flavours are Crema Siciliana (oranges and lemons) and Dark Chocolate Sorbet. Their pistachio is heavenly too, made from the finest Bronte pistachios, which grow in the Mount Etna region of Sicily, and are thought by many to be the best in the world. They use organic and natural ingredients with no artificial flavourings or colourings. You can eat in or on a lovely summer’s day, walk to the end of the alleyway and sit on a bench on the edge of beautiful Richmond Green. Click here for more on Gelateria Danieli.

2. La Gelatiera, Covent Garden

I’d passed this gelateria many times in New Row, Covent Garden, before I tried it. I’d read great things about it but never seemed to be there at a good time to indulge in gelato. It was my friend Lucia who suggested meeting there one evening. And I’m so glad she did! Why had I taken such a long time to try it? The ice cream is fantastic and they have frequent changes of flavours and some really exciting ones. Their hand-crafted ice creams are made daily in small batches and contain only the finest ingredients, they offer flavours like ‘Honey, Rosemary & Orange Zest’ and ‘Basil & Chilli’, and ‘Watercress & Lime’. When I was there last summer, a medium cup with 3 flavours was £4.50. For more about La Gelatiera, click here.

3.  Gelupo, Soho

It was my Italian teacher Fabio who told me about Gelupo (part of Bocco di Lupo restaurant). I’ve been back many times since my first visit in 2014 and introduced it to my family. It’s always a temptation to pop in if I’m in the Shaftesbury Avenue/Piccadilly Circus area and last time I went was just before meeting friends at a nearby theatre; I was so close I couldn’t resist. They have some exciting flavours too – ‘Strawberry & Pink Pepper’, ‘Avocado Sorbet’ and ‘Lemon & Rosemary’. It really is exceptionally good artisan gelato. For more about Gelupo (and Bocca di Lupo) click here.

4. Amorino, Covent Garden

Amorino is a worldwide chain, but don’t let that put you off! The ice cream is wonderful. I’d eaten in Amorino in France and Italy but only finally got round to trying out one of the London branches recently, after a gelato conversation with Fabio, who told me how good it is. For more, click here. A new branch in my home town of Richmond upon Thames opened August 2019 – click here for review.

5. Gelatorino, Covent Garden

I’m in the Covent Garden area a lot but usually on my way to meet friends for an evening meal, so I rarely want to have a gelato first. Thus it took me a long time – years even! – to finally get round to trying Gelatorino, which I’d passed many times. I’m so glad I finally got there as their ice cream is superb. Click here for review – and also their branch in East Sheen, West London, click here.

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With all this gelato excitement, I’ve introduced a new ‘Gelaterie – Ice Cream Shops’ category on the blog so you can quickly check out where to find the best ice cream: click here. And I think you may be sure that I will be adding to it over the coming summer months!

What’s your favourite gelateria in London? Do please let us know!

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